Lowest Trade Fees
Discover our Pluto comparison of the lowest fees across a variety of asset classes.
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Introduction
In this comparison table, we present some of the best apps on the market with the lowest investment fees. We’ve covered a breadth of asset classes, so you can easily compare fees right across the market. We’ve also listed some of the key features of each provider in the table, and what assets they cover below.
What is a fee?
A fee in this context is essentially a cost you’ll incur for trading on and/or using a particular investment platform. Fees are generally associated with trading activity, and that’s what we will focus on below. However, be sure to keep an eye out for other fees associated with using a particular provider, such as inactivity fees, management fees, and FX fees.
Remember, some kind of fee is to be expected for any investment provider or platform you use. All providers will need to generate revenue in some way and so will have some type of fee for investing and trading. Most providers are generally pretty good at being upfront about their fees, but make sure you double-check as some can be harder to find.
Fixed, variable and flat fees
Fee structures can vary between providers. It can get pretty confusing to know exactly what they mean, let alone compare them and choose which might suit you best. Check out the below to help inform your decision making.
Fixed fees
Fixed fees are usually expressed simply in a pound value, such as £1. Here, fees are fixed and remain the same regardless of the investment amount of a given trade. So for example, if an investor makes a £10 trade the fee would be £1. In a £100 trade, the fee would still be £1, and so on. This fixed fee structure can particularly suit investors who invest higher amounts, as fees are uncorrelated to their investment amount.
Variable fees
Variable fees are usually expressed as a percentage, such as 1.5%. Here, fees are taken from the investment amount of a given trade. So for example, if an investor makes a £10 trade the fee would be 15p. In a £100 trade, the fee would be £1.50, and so on. This fee structure could suit investors who invest lower amounts, as fees are correlated to their investment amount, unlike fixed fee structures.
Flat fees
Fixed fees are usually charged monthly, and are expressed as something like £4.99 per month. Think of them like a subscription. In this monthly cost, investors will usually get certain features, increased access, and trading usage included in the fee plan at no extra cost. This can vary greatly between providers, so make sure to double-check exactly what is covered in any plan before choosing the right one for you. Many providers have tiered plans with varying access in each, so check on this too to see which might work best for you.
What about commission-free investing?
While it is true that some providers offer commission-free investing, this tends to be for basic access accounts, and so can be limited on features, number of assets available to invest in, or how quickly the trade will be executed. If access is not limited, it could mean the trading provider is charging other fees, which, of course, generates revenue in another way. This could be through foreign exchange fees, management fees, or even inactivity fees. Make sure you’re fully aware of any fees you may incur before choosing a provider, whether they offer commission-free or not.
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Name | Assets | Fee per trade (fixed or variable) | Platform fee (flat fee) | Offer | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Shares, ETFs, ISAs, SIPPs | £0 - £3 | £0 | £5 cashback | ||
Shares, ETFs, funds, ISAs, SIPPs | £0 - £3.99 | £ 4.99 - £19.99 p/m | - | ||
Shares, ETFs, funds, ISAs | £0 | £1 p/m + 0.45% p/m + <0.58% p/a | - | ||
Shares, ETFs, ISAs, SIPPs | £0 | Up to £11.99 p/m | - | ||
Crypto, FX, debit card with XRP cashback | $0.99 (crypto) | £0 | - | ||
Alternative assets (whisky, wine, watches etc.) | £0 | £0 | Free €50 Splint | ||
Shares, ETFs | £0 (ETFs) - £1 (shares) | £0 | £10 fractional US share |
T&Cs apply. Fees may apply. Capital at risk.
T&Cs apply. Fees may apply. Capital at risk.
T&Cs apply. Fees may apply. Capital at risk.
T&Cs apply. Fees may apply. Capital at risk.
T&Cs apply. Fees may apply. Capital at risk.
T&Cs apply. Fees may apply. Capital at risk.
T&Cs apply. Fees may apply. Capital at risk.
View our Advertiser Disclosure
